Letters

The expanded background check bill was blocked from debate by Republican leadership in the most undemocratic, heartless and shameful votes ever cast in our Senate!
Since 92 percent of us want these checks, the vote of 54 for debate and 46 against should have ensured continuation of our democratic process.
Four Democrats — Max Baucus of Montana, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Mark Begich of Alaska and Heidi Heitcamp of North Dakota — broke from their party and cast shameful votes against debate.

I want to thank Mr. Bruce Noble for taking the time to comment on your arrest reports feature and asking others to do so.
I also have been disappointed in our local newspaper for including such “journalism” on a regular basis.
Anyone who believes that this feature will discourage criminal behavior probably also believes that capital punishment discourages murder. This is wishful thinking.
There are other publications that sensationalize the horrid photos you publish. Please leave this practice to others. You are better than this. Hopefully.

What’s the difference in America’s health care system and organized crime? Simple. One is legal, the other is not.
I am amazed that people just burden themselves nearly to death to pay outrageous health insurance premiums.
What they should do is drop the health insurance, and write their lawmakers demanding that they put a stop to the runaway cost of health care.
Health insurance companies are just another big fat greedy vulture in the system. And like the system, all they want is your money.

I write to express my disapproval of your paper’s ongoing publication of the names and mugshots of individuals arrested in the area.
Your snapshot synopses of these people’s lives, condensed from one brief moment of misfortune, bad timing or stupidity in public serves no other purpose than to play into the smarmy politics of fear and sensationalism.
A trend which, sadly, is rapidly replacing objective intelligent reporting of issues of some use to the public in their everyday affairs.

I am experiencing a growing concern about genetically modified foods in the food chain.
I have come to the conclusion that genetically modified foods are dangerous: they have been linked to immune disorders, endocrine disruption, sterility, birth defects, accelerated aging, allergies, and organ damage to name a few of the 65 different health risks involved.

An editorial in The Gazette about the online public school Virginia Virtual Academy makes a number of wrong claims. It is children, not online learning provider K12 Inc., who benefitted most from the academy.
K12 Inc. was disappointed in Carroll County’s decision to no longer offer the academy, but it was not because of K12. In fact, K12’s academy program boasts high parent satisfaction and a long waiting list.

HoustonFest Organizers would like to extend sincere gratitude for the splendid work that took place leading up to and during the presentation of HoustonFest 2013.
We will continue to talk about the wonderful weekend for years to come. This celebration of song and service was an outstanding success in so many ways, primarily due to the incredible organization, creativity and enthusiasm of hundreds of caring citizens.

I am writing to express concerns about moving sixth and seventh grades from St. Paul School to Carroll County Middle School in Hillsville.
Each parent has an opportunity to select the school for their children, and as their former school board representative, I strongly urge everyone to leave their children at St. Paul for 2013‑2014.
St. Paul is one of the best schools in Carroll County, with modern facilities and a great faculty and staff.
If you desire that your children play sports, transportation can be provided for after-school activities.

I have become my 91-year old father’s advocate.
By experiencing emergency room visits, doctors’ appointments, hospital stays, and rehab stays, I have gained a new perspective on our elderly population.
I truly believe they are becoming a “forgotten society.”
My father’s last rehab stay was at Trinity Mission in Hillsville after he was released from Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He had been suffering from aspiration pneumonia and had a pacemaker implanted.

I am responding to the letter “Thrift Shop Changes Unwelcome.”
I don’t normally respond to these kinds of comments and just let time settle them. However, I feel accountable to the community and to the people who donate to us. I need to give some factual information and hope that will put this to rest.
Willing Partners of Galax and Independence still has pictures, wooden shelves, lamps, home decor items, craft items, pillows, blankets and sheets — all displayed for sale.